Ely and East Cambridgeshire candidates on National Service

Here, the candidates share their opinions on plans for the re-introduction of National Service. 

As part of the scheme, 18-year-olds would be mandated to choose between one year of military training or 25 days of 'volunteer work' over the course of a year.

Lucy Frazer (Conservative)

"We want to live in a society where young people are empowered, feel responsible, understand the importance of giving back to their community and making good choices in life, I believe in the importance of giving them opportunities to learn new skills and overcome challenges. 

"In the last nine years as your MP I have tried to do this in a number of ways. Whether it has been expanding young people's public speaking through my annual parliamentary debating competition, hosting work experience days, or widening access to sports by backing new youth facilities."

Lucy Frazer is the Conservative candidate for Ely and East Cambridgeshire. (Image: Lucy Frazer)

She added: "But as a nation we can and should go further. Volunteering is another effective way of teaching our young people skills and confidence. Multiple studies even show that volunteering and community service create better citizens by increasing social responsibility and cutting criminality.

"That is why I support the introduction of National Service for every 18-year-old. This will give people real world skills, while contributing to their country and community."

Elizabeth McWilliams (Labour)

"There is a clear choice at this election: change with Labour as we invest in our NHS, or chaos with the Tories, as they spend that money in forcing teenagers to join the Army.

"They plan to spend almost £2.5billion on 30,000 military commissions and scheme placements for the remaining 745,000 18-year-olds.

"This is an attempt to hide that over 14 years the country has lost 40,000 troops, one in five ships in the Royal Navy and satisfaction with service life has plunged."

Elizabeth McWilliams is the Labour candidate for Ely and East Cambridgeshire. (Image: Elizabeth McWilliams)

She added: "Labour will get to work on day one with our first steps to expand opportunity to those who have been let down by the Tories, including an education system that builds the confidence, resilience and skills needed for life. Labour will put 6,500 new teachers into classrooms.

"A youth guarantee that means training, an apprenticeship or help to work for all 18- 21 year olds and a national jobs and careers service to help people not only get into work but get on at work."

Charlotte Cane (Liberal Democrat)

"Enforced volunteering is a desperate suggestion from an out of touch party.

"Many young people are already active in their communities, while others are carers for parents or other family members or working evenings and weekends to pay for their studies. 

"Conservatives have admitted this scheme would be funded by cuts to the Shared Prosperity Fund, losing our area about £1 million a year."

Charlotte Cane is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Ely and East Cambridgeshire. (Image: Charlotte Cane)

She added: "Our armed forces are made up of people who have chosen to serve our country in this way.

"As someone whose father was in the Army, I know they are committed and highly trained and won't want to be distracted managing unwilling conscripts.

"Community groups already have committed volunteers, many of them young people, who give their time freely to serve in many different ways. They won't want to be replaced by enforced labour.

"Young adults should be treated with respect and valued as full members of society."

Andrew Cogan (Green Party)

"The National service scheme for young people has not been thought through or consulted on with the young people who would  be drafted into it.

"As it stands it is a headline grabbing PR gimmick and nothing more."

Andrew Cogan is the Green Party candidate for Ely and East Cambridgeshire. (Image: Andrew Cogan)

The Ely Standard contacted the Reform UK candidate for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, Ryan Coogan, but received no response.